Community rallies around man left a quadriplegic after harrowing accident

The friends and family of young man who became a quadriplegic after a harrowing accident which left him with devastating spinal injuries have come together to help raise money to aid in his recovery.

Matt, then 22, was on the brink of a promising career as a radiochemist, when he was struck by a car while crossing the road and thrown 20 metres through the air on May 23, 2016.

He sustained a C3-C4 fracture in his spine, which left him as an incomplete quadriplegic.

Matt, who was only identified by his first name in his GoFundMe page, spent the next two months ventilated at the Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital and was then transferred to Royal Rehab in the second half of 2016.

Matt now uses a wheelchair and operates the chair’s electric joystick with his chin. As he undergoes rehabilitation, his friends laud his ‘affable spirit’ in spite of his difficulties.

Matt in hospital. Source: GoFundMe

“He remains the positive friend we know, a man of repartee, intelligence, and heart,” a GoFundMe page to support Matt said.

“Against the odds, and as a testament to his will, Matt has begun to make progress in moving his lower limbs.

“Despite the best efforts of Matt and his physiotherapist, his upper limbs show no signs of improvement.

“Matt also suffers from debilitating neuropathic pain which can only be moderated by medication.”

Matt (pictured) is in rehabilitation after spinal injuries. Source: GoFundMe

His family and friends are raising money for spinal equipment, medical expenses and the cost of making his home wheelchair accessible.